Posts Tagged ‘accessories’

My first visit to Paris was an impromptu business trip. Due to meetings scheduled throughout the day, my only sightseeing time was very early in the morning. This worked out fine, owing to my extreme jet lag, but I encountered a couple of frustrations. (1) It’s really, really cold before the sun comes up in Paris in March. (2) It was my first time in Paris. I wanted a photo of myself in front of the Eiffel Tower, cheesy as that may be, but there was no one around to take it for me. I spent considerable time trying to balance my camera on ledges and benches to get a shot of myself. Sadly, this was before digital cameras, so I wasted a lot of film trying to get a decent photo.

We’ve all been in that situation as travelers. You’re alone or somewhere remote and can’t find anyone to take a photo for you. That’s why, when I saw the XShot Camera Extender I thought it was a terribly clever and useful product. It’s similar to a tripod, but quicker to set up and more compact to carry. Simply attach your digital camera to the XShot Camera Extender, set your self-timer, extend the device and get your shot. The XShot Camera Extender is lightweight and easy to control. It allows you to get that photo without having to ask others to help. Obviously, this is not the product for you if you use a larger, heavy camera. The XShot has a weight limit of 1.25 lbs., so it coordinates perfectly with, say, a Canon Powershot or Sony Cybershot. If you’re traveling solo, this is definitely the accessory for you.